The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-29
Capt, Willard's Annual Report
Improvements Made In Tennessee,
Mississippi and Arkansas Streams.
Recommendations FIR Additional
Needed Bttterments.
Detailed Statement OF the Work
Done Daring the Year.
COMM sroasl Statistics Showing the
vaIue OF tho Trade OF the
Various water Routes
OF the Regton.

No OLD FOURTEENTH STREET, WASHING.
ron, September 28.-The annual 70.
port OF Capt. Willard on the improve.
ment OF the rivers and bayous under
his charge was received at the Office Of
the Chief Engineer today, and your
correspondent makes the following
extracts. In regard to the improve.
ment OF the
SOUTH YoRKED DEER RIVER,
Of Tennessee, Capt. Willard says:
October 81, 1885, operations we're be.
gun at the mouth, working up stream.
With the exception Of ten days delay,
from November Goth to December 9th,
caused by q sudden rise In the river,
the work was continued with but little
interruption until January 22d, when
high water rendered Its suspension
necessary. On the 18th Of April II
was resumed and continued mp stream
TO point three miles above Cherry.
Vile and four miles below the Louis
Vile and Nashville railroad bridge.
After reaching this point the party
TUNED back, working down stream to
Yellow Bluff, which place was reached
June 10th. This being the most con-
venient point for transporting the
outfit, and the available funds being
practically exhausted, the party was
transferred to the Big Hatchie river.
This work, In connection with that on
Big Hstchie river, was carried on
under supt ]. 7. Darcy. During his
abserce on Bayou Bartholomew and
D'Arboune, Ls., VIM. j. Moore was
the overseer In local charge.
The folio wing Ia q summary Of the
work performed: Number stumps out,
428; shore snags cut, 1928; logs and
snags moved from channel, 1852;
Jams removed, 7; side Jams removed,
20; leaning trees cut, 6253; willows
ssd hrnsh cut. tquare yards. 10. 767.
This work extended over about 100
miles, from the mouth to 4 ar miles
below Bells depot. The party, aversg-
ing about twelve 10 fifteen men,
moved about In q small fat bost
wo, king In skifis and upon the banks
removing the distractions with axes,
saws and email blocks and tackle. The
river was at q good working stage the
z. eater part OF the season, and the
channel was cleared as thoroughly no
possible with the means available.
This part of the river 10 now In fair
navlgable condition, much better than
that Of the main Forked Deer river,
through which boats must pass 10
rash the Misslssippi, aud. until some
thing 10 done TO improve this outlet,
further work will be II little advan.
tsge.
The following principal distractions
yet remain In the river and seriously
obstruct navigation ut all etsgee:
1. A log boom at Hoeler sew mill,
about 100 miles above the mouth and
three miles below the Ohesspeakr,
o 10 and South western railroad bridge,
This 10 an arrangement built OF piles
for catching sawlogs, and although Q
space OF fifty feet wide has been left
Tor the passage OF boats, II ia incon
verient and uusaie. II should be TO-
moyrd entirely, or at lesst the opening
should be enlarged until boats can
paes without danger OF delay.
2. An old Tallroat bridge a, the
CT ssiBg Of the Brownsville and Pa
dncah narrow cause railroad, sboul
los miles above the mouth. This con
sists a several IoNs Of piling, some o
which have been cut OF at los water
rhe ertirs obstruction should be 10
moved. The bridge Ia TO long used
3 A county bridge at the crossip,
uf the Btownhyile and Alama wagoI
road, about ia miles above the mouth
This Is only tweniy.three inches allow
high water mars, snd should b.
ca ,nged TO q draw bridge.
4. A brush dam, about eish. mle
below Bells depot and 1870 mile
above he mouth. This should be re
N we'd entirely, az II dtnecs the m III
body OF the river into an artih Ia
channel for uss Of private paroles
THIS obyTuotion 10 built Of brush An,
logs aud extends entirely across th
stream. IL 10 20i feet long, average
tbou, Aiteen feet In width and 10 tw
feet above low water. The peopl
no longer use II and are anxious b
have the dam removed. The tlmbe
in,eres, above the dam 10 sufficient I
justify lie removal, and at present II
has udous 10 hjat down staye bokls o
, timber faits
8. The Louisville and Nashvill
railroad bridge, near Bells depot, II
, miles above the mouth. This 10 q Pill
trsetle and should be replaced by
pivot draw. Between the piles whic
support the bridge are the stumps {
> n diuble row Of piling, which ehoul
, be entirely removed.
The above obatructiops we're rec,
? amined during the past season by IN
/, superintendent In charge, Ia add
. ton TO these, there are the followin
h obslructious above the point wheI
|. the past seasons operations soppe'
The,e we're reTorled on In 1884, NJ
, II any changes have been made
, their structure aincs no notihcatlo
4 Of came has been received, but it
probable tia, they are ~ then u
ported, Wis.,;
Q Aoouniy bridge, las miles sboN
: the mouth. This Bnould be change
into a draw bridge -,
7. An cd county bridge, ht Pops
9 Corner, 100 milee above the moutI
q This should be removed, being .
8 longer used. =,
3. A county bridge, NJ Campbell
!. Landing, l9t miles above the mont
This should he changed 10 4 draw.
q. A 60 MY bridge, lat McUsnn
haas Landing, 1874 miles shove u
}. mouth aud one mile below jake
the hes1 Of navigation. Should
charged to q draw.
i It's recommended that future q
o preparations Tor this ttream c,n'
n tho main Fdiked Deer liver, abol
u iweuty.n ne miles long, and the nor
q fork. The present obairucted coco
!. lion Of lh' former prevents any na'
cation Of tho south folk Tor ~ Ies
three months OF the year.
tinele appropriation Of = ressonao
amount would enable the tmeer
% ohatve Ia oonduct the work byatet